Category Archives: putting pressure on myself

“This pressure I felt to make it was such a burden–until I realized that no level of success was ever going to be enough. I would always be chasing the world outside of me. What was the point of working so hard if it wasn’t for my own happiness? The solution became very clear: stop doing work that doesn’t matter to you.”

When I tackle work with a sense of play

Charlie Hoehn realised that many of his work heroes tackled work with a sense of play.

“When I tackle work with a sense of play, my creativity and optimism soar. I fall in love with the process. My energy becomes contagious, and I’m able to create unique art with the people around me.” Continue reading →

Do you remember that Grange Hill song? Maybe not, maybe before your time!

The older I get the more important I think this is. Just say “No!” Saying No to the things (and people) that drain you, to the requests that burden you, to the emotional blackmail from your mother. (Just to clarify, not talking about my mother here).

Learning to say “No” is crucial for looking after yourself. And learning to say “No” is crucial for building self confidence. Failing to say “No” can damage your health, your marriage, your relationships, your career.

This is a light hearted look at 25 badass ways to say No from justinemusk.com (you might need to zoom to read them more closely).

Why are we so quick to beat ourselves up? To criticise ourselves, to judge ourselves, to tell ourselves off?

Why are we so eager to cut down on sleep, to take on extra responsibilities, to push ourselves into exhaustion?

I LOVE jumping in at the deep end and pushing past boundaries and self employment brought me so many! New challenges, new projects, new skills to learn. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Whipping myself to carry on and do even more.

I recently received a newsletter from my therapist friend Bonnie Miller, with article ‘The Happiness of Non-Achievement’. Now, if you were my client you’d know I encourage celebrating achievements. Writing a list of them even. A long list. Keeping it. Referring back to it.